“Partner is horrified and I feel very judged, but surely I am not alone in my slatternly ways?! How often do you wash your pillows?”

People were shocked by her ‘grim’ confession (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images/Hero Images)

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Almost 100 people took the time to comment on her post debating the correct answer.

One person also confessed they’d never washed their pillows: “I’ve never washed a pillow either. We use pillow cases and thick pillow protectors which both get washed regularly.”

However many were of the opinion that pillows should be washed once a year.

“All our pillows have protectors, which I was every week/every other week – sniff test,” posted someone else. “The pillows get washed at least every year or in between. The key to washing pillows and duvets is packing them tightly in the drum, then they don’t lose their shape.

“I can’t imagine sleeping on an unwashed pillow for 10 years. It’s a bit grim in my book.”

Many said they washed their pillows every six months to a year (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images/Westend61)

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“I wash the actual pillow once a year in the summer,” agreed a different mum.

A third added: “About once a year, as it gets warm enough for them to dry.”

Others thought pillows should be washed more frequently.

A third responded: “Buy new pillows – non feathered – frequently – much more frequently than every six months. It’s basic hygiene.”

One other mum said: “Every six months? Mine are years old and look new.”

So how often should you actually wash your pillows?

According to Good Housekeeping Magazine you should be giving your pillows a freshen up in the washing machine every three to six months.

Controversially they also advise that you should then throw the pillows away after two years and buy new ones.

This is because every night we release 200ml of sweat onto our bedding.